March 2009

Published on March 30, 2009

Just Released…

The Health Workforce in New York, 2007: Trends in the Supply of and Demand for Health Workers

The Center routinely monitors annual health care employment patterns as well as other indicators of the supply of and demand for health workers by occupation and by setting in New York and has just released the most recent report of this research. The findings from this study are consistent with that of previous years. However, the report is primarily based on 2007 data and does not reflect the impacts of the current economic downturn on the supply of and demand for health workers. One potential result may be the easing of shortages in some health professions and occupations as fewer new jobs are added and existing workers are more likely to remain in their current positions. This report is available at: http://www.chwsny.org/archive/uploads/2012/07/nytracking2009.pdf.

Residency Training Outcomes in New York, 2008

The Center conducts an annual survey of all physicians completing a residency or fellowship training program in New York in order to better understand demand for new physicians and the outcomes of training. A key finding from the 2008 survey is that demand for family medicine physicians and general internal medicine physicians has increased and is now comparable to demand for some specialists, including anesthesiologists. To view the report, go to: http://www.chwsny.org/archive/uploads/2012/07/nyexit2009.pdf.

Trends in New York Registered Nursing Graduations, 1996-2009

To understand trends affecting the supply of registered nurses (RNs) in New York, the Center surveys RN education programs in the state annually. The 2007 survey found that the number of RN graduations increased for the fifth consecutive year and are projected to continue rising in 2008 and 2009. Also, newly-trained RNs appear to be facing a more competitive job market today than in previous years. To view the report, go to: http://www.chwsny.org/archive/uploads/2012/07/nursinged2009.pdf.

Public Health Worker Exit Survey: Preliminary Findings

The Center recently pilot tested a Web-based exit survey of local public health department workers. The study was done in collaboration with researchers in Georgia and Florida, and surveyed workers from these states as well as New York. The study found that a small percentage of respondents were leaving to retire, and about half of the workers who were leaving for a new job reported they would continue to work in governmental public health. The Center plans to continue the exit survey for New York’s local health departments. View the research brief: http://www.chwsny.org/archive/uploads/2013/03/phpilot2009.pdf.

New York Physician Workforce Requirements Assessment

Using forecasting models adapted to include data specific to New York, the Center developed a variety of supply and demand scenarios to estimate the potential impact of a number of factors, including, changes in the retention of physicians trained in the state, the implementation of universal health insurance, and efforts to make the delivery of health care more efficient. Based on these forecasting models, the Center concluded that between 2006 and 2030, growth in the demand for physicians in New York would likely outpace growth in the supply of physicians. The forecasts suggest that New York is likely to face a physician shortage in 2030, and, in the case of areas and populations already experiencing shortages, a worsening of current shortages. The magnitude of forecast difference between supply and demand growth is between 2,500 and 17,000 physicians, or between 3 and 15 percent of the number of physicians required to meet the anticipated demand for physician services in 2030. View the executive summary of the report: http://www.chwsny.org/archive/uploads/2012/07/nyphyss&d2009execsum.pdf.

This article, written by Paul Wing and Margaret H. Langelier of the Center, was published in the February 2009 edition of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Data on the future supply of radiologists and radiological technologists performing mammography were reviewed and workforce trends were forecast. The findings from this study suggest that over the next 15 to 20 years, the demand for mammography services from women age 40 and older will outpace the projected supply of radiologists and radiologic technologists available to provide services if the annual supply of new professionals remains at current levels.

The Emerging Role of Faith Community Nurses in Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease

Published in the August 2008 edition of Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice, this article was authored by Center staff Sandra McGinnis, in collaboration with Fran Zoske, Director, Health Promotion and Wellness Programs, Capital District Physician Health Plan. The faith community nursing (FCN) model is reviewed and the potential for FCNs to support better access to basic health services for underserved populations is explored.

The Center for Health Workforce Studies and the Community Healthcare Association of New York State have been awarded two local health planning grants by the New York State Department of Health. Together, these grants will support a comprehensive assessment of primary care provider capacity in the state and offer a systematic approach to the designation of primary care shortage areas for the future.

Tell us what you think…

We’d like to hear from you. Please give us feedback on our website or on any of the reports or information we have posted to it. E-mail us at chws@health.state.ny.us.